As much as Kit did not wish to converse with Lockwood, he couldn’t bear to see Alice struggle. Her newfound confidence had been hard won, and he didn’t want her to doubt herself. “And how was your game of croquet this afternoon, Miss Lusk? Were you victorious?” Kit had departed as soon as the second match began, heading back into the chateau instead of watching Alice watch the duke.

She offered him a grateful smile. “We were, thanks in large part to the duke’s skill in the game.”

“You showed remarkable skill yourself,” the duke said. “I believe a bloodthirsty competitor lurks inside you.”

Alice beamed as if Lockwood had showered her with compliments. “Your Grace is clearly teasing, but I did have fun. I haven’t played croquet in ages.”

Lockwood said nothing, his eyes affixed proudly on Maddie across the room, and Kit couldn’t take one minute more. “Miss Lusk, care to walk with me?”

She cast a look over her shoulder toward her mother, who was conversing with another chaperone. “I cannot leave. It wouldn’t be proper.”

“Just around the room, then?”

“I suppose that would be all right, if my mother agrees.”

When she started to turn in her mother’s direction, Kit grabbed her wrist. “Let’s live a little, shall we? After all, it’s always better to beg for forgiveness than to ask permission.” Especially when Mrs. Lusk would surely say no. Alice’s mother used every available opportunity to stare daggers at Kit, as if he were dirt on the bottom of her slipper.

“Go on, Miss Lusk,” Lockwood said. “I’ll keep an eye on you, should Mr. Ward try anything improper.”

Fuck off, Kit told Lockwood with his gaze. The duke smirked and sipped his champagne, but Kit didn’t bother giving him a set down. Instead, he held out his arm to Alice. “Come with me.”

She excused herself to Lockwood, then took Kit’s arm, and he led her to the far side of the room, near the piano. At least here they would still be in clear view but out of earshot.

“Are you certain this is wise? We could arouse suspicion.” Folding her hands, she kept a proper distance. Kit set his coupe on the smooth surface of the piano and crossed his arms.

“Are you setting your cap for the duke?” The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could stop them, and she blinked a few times, her dark lashes kissing the tops of her cheeks.

“You don’t care for him, do you?”

“No, but it hardly matters what I think. It’s what you think that matters.”

“He’s betrothed to Maddie. I don’t think anything about him beyond that.”

“So you aren’t interested in him? In becoming a duchess?”

Her brows drew together. “Where is this coming from?”